Drapery sewing apparatus

ABSTRACT

Drapery sewing apparatus in which the sewing head is carried by a traveling carriage which traverses the work table, and a common drive propels the carriage and drives the stitching mechanism, the drive including a variable speed transmission through which the rate of travel of the carriage and the stitching rate are correlated. The table has a walkway and collapsible leaves for handling drapes of different lengths. The carriage is supported on rails and rollers adjacent to or on the table.

United States Patent [191 Kenney 1 1 DRAPERY SEWING APPARATUS [76]Inventor: Donald K. Kenney, 17739 La Rosa.

Fountain Valley. Calif. 92708 221 Filed: Nov. 19, 1973 21 Appl. No.:416.934

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.124.835. March 16.

1971. abandoned.

[52] U.S. Cl ..ll2/]2l.l4.112/l2].15.108/72 [51] Int. Cl D051) 3/04 {58]Field of Search 112/2. 121.14.121.15. 112/l2l.29. 3. 7; 108/69, 71. 72.64, 77. 80. 81; 269/325 (56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS161.497 3/1875 Fa) 108/64 X 460.504 9/1891 Hunter 112/7 488.969 12/1892Hunter 112/7 2.619.394 11/1952 Mahr 108/64 Apr. 1, 1975 2.855.87710/1958 Whitehead 112/121.14 3.062.160 11/1962 Cash. Sr. et a1 112/3 R3.167.041 1/1965 Briggs 112/121.14 3.204.590 9/1965 Rockerath et a1.ll2/l21.29 X 3.281.141 10/1966 Smiley et a1. 269/325 3.377.968 4/1968Story 112/12114 3.400.674 9/1968 MCClintoCk 1 12/2 PrimaryE.raminerWerner H. Schroeder [57] ABSTRACT 12 Claims, 14 Drawing FiguresPH YEUAPR H95 SHEET 1 0f 5 INVENTOR. DONALD K.XNN'Y BY X PATENTEU APR 1W5 52m 2 or 5 INVENTOR.

Don/A w KXENNEY M MQA PATEHTEUAPR' 11915 3,874,31 1

INVENTOR. 1301mm KKENMEY HTENTEDAPR Ham 3,874,231 1 saw u 0F 5 URAPERYSEWING APPARATUS This application is a continuation-in-part of mypending application Ser. No. D4335. filed March lo. 197 l. now abandonedBACKUROLND ()F THF. INVENTION In the sewing of various long pieces ofmaterial. it has been found that space is best utilized if the sewingmachine moves relath e to the work table and the material. rather thanmoving the table and the material relative to the sewing machine. as isthe practice in the usual sewing operations.

However. the drives for such traveling sewing machines. including thedrive for the stitching mechanism and for propelling the carriage arequite complex.

When such a traveling sewing machine is utilized to sew the stiffeningmaterial. crinoline or buckram. to the edge of a drape. problems areencountered in the event that the traveling machine is not properlyguided relative to the ork table and the edge of the drapery fabric towhich the stiffening material is being applied. or if the machinetravels at a rate incompatible with the stitching rate at which thesewing machine stitches.

If the precise ratio of stitching rate to sewing head traverse rate isestablished by a direct drive which is satisfactory under normalconditions of operation, problems are encountered periodically whenchanges in the drive ratio. even small changes. are caused by wear ofthe drive components. such as drive belts or chains. or by othervariable conditions. such as different drapery fabrics. Moreparticularly in this connection. certain fabrics require a differentrelationship be tween stitching rate and sewing machine traverse ratethan other fabrics. For example. a coarse fabric may require a close.tight stitch as compared with a looser stitch which is necessary ordesirable in the case ofccrtain lighter fabrics.

Alignment and leveling problems are encountered when the apparatus isdisposed on a slab which is une\ en. since the table is large enough toaccommodate large drapes and the supports for the table span a largebase area. Likewise. the supporting rails for the traveling sewingmachine are long and difficult to level and align with the table whenthe base is uneven and the rails are separately bedded.

Since drapes are made in a variety of lengths. the operator must. in theusual case. lean across the table and work at arms length in aninefficient and awkward manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, aunitized drive mechanism which drives the stitcher head and effects traversing of the stitcher head relative to the work table is adapted toenable precise adjustment of the drive ratio as may be necessitated bydifferent stitching requirements or different fabrics. by wear in thedrive system or by any other variable conditions which allow thesynchroniration of the composite drive to deviate from desired ornecessary settings.

More particularly. the present invention provides the combination of adrapery sewing table and a railway or traveling sewing machine, whereina piece of drapery fabric of a selected width and length is clamped atone of its edges constituting the bottom of the drapery. along one edgeof the table. the other edge of the drapcry fabric being located alongthe opposite edge of the table. The sewing machine is adapted to travelparallel to the latter edge of the table and. typical of such machines.includes a stitcher head which has cutter means associated therewith. sothat a strip of crinoline or buckram may be placed along the adjacentedge of the drapery fabric and be stitched to the latter. as the sewingmachine traverses the length of the table. the cutter meanssimultaneously cutting the sch-age along a line parallel to the stitchesand to the clamped bottom of the drape. 'l'raverse of the sewing machineand operation of the sewing head and cutter means is caused by anelectric motor which drives a sprocket engaged with a chain extendedbeneath the table. in fixed relation. and which also drives a sewinghead drive shaft. so that the rate of sewing machine traverse and therate of stitching by the stitcher head are related. ln order to adjustthe ratio of the traverse rate to stitching rate. an infinitely variablechange speed transmission is interposed in one of the drives so that theone drive is adjustable relative to the other. whereby to enable theestablishment of a selected drive ratio or relationship between thetraverse drive and the stitcher head drive which is satisfactory ordesirable for the ordinary stitching operations. The change speedmechanism may be periodically adjusted to compensate for changes in thedrive system occasioned by wear or to adapt the machine to sewingdifferent stitches in different fabrics.

In addition to the foregoing. the apparatus enables the drapery fabricto be maintained in a square condition. due to the clamping of one edgeof the fabric along an edge of the table. since the traveling sewingmachine is guided in tracks which are disposed in paral lel relation tothe adjacent edge of the table and to the clamped edge.

Apparatus according to the invention saves considerable space. ascompared with prior drapery sewing apparatus of the type wherein thetable moves relative to a fixed machine. ln addition. the stitching ofthe crinoline to the drapery fabric by the traveling sewing machineenables a worker to handle a substantially higher volume of work than ispossible where other. conven tional methods of applying the crinolineare employed. such as a hot ironing method.

To facilitate application of the crinoline strip to the edge of thedrapery fabric in location to be stitched. a roll of the strip crinolineis mounted on a support to re volve on an axis normal to the directionof travel of the sewing machine. and the crinoline is progressivelypulled from the spool and guided into position beneath the pressure footof the sewing head.

In one form of the apparatus. the sewing machine carriage is supportedupon and travels along guide rails which are affixed to the floor orbase of a building in parallel relation to the upper edge of the tablealong which the sewing machine travels. To avoid faulty operation of theapparatus. where the floor or base may be uneven. the table and railsshould be leveled so as to avoid any substantial curvature or bending inthe table or in the rails which would cause undesired variation in thepreferred parallelism. lit a preferred form. the table structure isrigidly re-enforced to provide an integrated unit which will not bendwhen mounted upon an uneven surface. In addition. such a rigidsupporting structure for the table has int grated therewith thetraveling carriage supporting rails. including an upper constrainingrail extending along the upper edge of the table and receivinganti-friction roller bearings carried by the carriage at spacedlocations. a lower rail evtending along the lower edge area of the tableand being engaged by load supporting rollers in the form ofanti-friction bearing means supported on an axis of rotation which isperpendicular to the line of the angular force applied to the carriageby the overhanging weight of the carriage and by an operator ridingthereon. so as to effectively preclude side load with interferring withfreedom of the bearings.

While in one form the table may be provided with a one piece table top.in the preferred form. the table top is composed of a number oftransversely spaced stationary table top sections and hinged tableleaves which enable the working space on the table top to be varied asdesired for working on drapes of different lengths. To raise and lowerthe leaves of the table. operating means are provided so that the leavescan be operated from a remote location. The drapery fabric clamp can beshifted to selected positions of adjustment for work ing on drapes ofdifferent lengths and the table frame structure provides a WZIII\\\'ZIwhen certain of the leaves are lowered to an inoperative position.

This invention possesses many other advantages. and has other purposeswhich may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of theforms in which it may he embodied. These forms are shown in the drawingsaccompanying and forming part of the present specification. They willnow be described in detail. for the purpose of illustrating the generalprinciples of the invention; but it is to be understood that suchdetailed descriptions are not to he taken in a limiting sense, since thescope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS HG. l is a perspective, showing adrapery sewing apparatus made in accordance with the invention. with aportion of the table broken away. the traveling sewing machine beingshown predominantly from the operie tor's side;

FIG. 2 is a perspective of the apparatus prcdoniinantly opposite to FIG.I;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail. showing the drive for causingtraverse of the sewing machine;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged. fragmentary. vertical section. takensubstantially on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2. showing the control mechanism;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged. fragmentary. vertical section. takensubstantially on the line 55 of FIG. 2. showing the common drive to thetraverse mechanism and the sewing mechanism;

FIG. 6 is an enlargd. fragmentary, vertical section, taken substantiallyon the line 66 of FIG. 2. showing a typical clamp:

FIG. 7 is an enlarged. fragmentary. vertical section. takensubstantially on the line 7-7 of FIG. 2. showing the stitcher and cuttermeans;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view in perspective showing another form ofdrapery sewing apparatus made in ac cordance with the invention;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary detail view on an enlarged scale and in \erticalsection. as taken on the line 99 of FIG. 8. showing the base supportingmeans for the carriage;

ill

FIG. III is a fragmentary detail vein of an enlarged scale and invertical section. as IZIhUII on the line l0 ll) of FIG. 8. showing theupper supporting means for the carriage.

FIG. I] is a \ertical section as taken on the line 11-11 of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary detail view on an enlarged scale and in\ertical section. as talsen on the line I2---l2 of FIG. 8. showing theelectric conductor assembly;

FIG. 13 is a hori7ontal section as taken on the line l3-l3 of FIG. 12:and

FIG. 14 is a transverse section showing the table base structure and theoperating means for the table lcaves DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERREDEMBODIMENTS As seen in the drawings. referring first to FIGS. 1 and 7.the drapery sewing apparatus of the present invcn tion will be seen. inone form. to comprise a table A having an elongated. horizontallydisposed top 10 sup ported on suitably spaced legs 11. Extending alongthe table top It) adjacent to one elongated side edge are clampingmeans. generally denoted at B. which are adapted to grip or hold an edgeof a piece of drapery fabric, generally denoted at C.

The clamping means B. more particularly. is adapted to clamp whatconstitutes the bottom of the drape C in parallel relation to the otherside or edge 12 of the table A. when the drapery fabric C is spreadalong the table top 10 with the selvage l3 hanging over the edge 12.Extending in parallel relation to the side or edge 12 of the table H)are guide means D adapted to support and guide a carriage. generallydenoted at E. as it moves longitudinally of and parallel to the tabletop II) and more particularly. the side edge 12 of the table top.

Carried by the carriage E so as to traverse the table I0 are sewingmeans, generally denoted at F. adapted to stitch to the drapery fabric Ca strip 14 of stiffening material. such as crinoline or buckram. asupply of which is provided by a roll 15 mounted on a spool 16 anddisposed on an axis which is normal to the direction of the travel ofthe carriage E along the guide means D.

The carriage E also has motor means G adapted to drive a common drivemeans H which effects operation of the sewing means F as well as travelof the carriage E along the table A. as the reinforcing strip orcrinoline I4 is stitched to the drapery fabric C and the selvagc I3 issevered from the drapery fabric. as will hereinafter he described.

The carriage E includes a top member 17 on which are disposed a suitablenumber of spools of sewing thread [8. the thread from which is guidedthrough guide means I) and supplied to the sewing means F. as iscustomary. The carriage top I7 is supported on posts or legs 20. 2]. Atthe lower ends of the legs 20 are affixed horizontal angle irons orother supporting beams 22. beneath which are supported a number ofwheels 23. Similarly. the lower ends of the legs 21 support a horizontalangle iron or beam 24 having a number of wheels 25. The wheels 23 and25. respectively. engage base rails 26 and 27 which extendlongitudinally and in parallel relation to the table A. In order toprevent Iatet'al deviation in the movement of the carriage E. the wheelsare preferably grooved. as at 25a. and the rail 27 has an upstandingT-shaped flange 27a adapted to engage in the grooves 251:. wherebymovement of the carriage F. is constrained to a path which is paralleland uniformly spaced from the side or edge I2 of the work table A. and.thus. the sewing means F will move in a straight line. parallel to thetable edge 12. to assure a straight row of stitches.

The other carriage supporting wheels 23. for convenience. may be plainrollers which ride in an inverted channel provided by the rail 26. sinceguiding of the carriage E may be sufficiently accomplished by the groo\ed rollers and the guide rail 27.

Preferably. an operators platform 28 is provided. in the form of aplate. supported on the beams 22 and 24 and on rollers 29 and 30.respectively, which engage the rails 26 and 27. From this platform. anoperator may. as will later he described. effect the simultaneousoperation of the sewing machine F and traverse of the carriage along therails 26 and 27 in a sewing direction.

The drapery clamping means B. by which the edge of the drapery fabric isclamped to the table top It). is adjustable so that the apparatus mayaccommodate different length drapes. Thus. as best seen in FIGS. 2 and6. the clamping means includes a bar 3] which extends along the top ofthe table and has end pieces 32 ttlrned downwardly at the ends of thetable and provided with clamping screws 33. .so that the bar 3I may beclamped in any desired position. say. with reference to a scale 34suitably marked to designate the ultimate length of a drape at thebottom edge. The bar 3] is secured within an elongated rectangularhousing 35 by fasteners 36. Extending outwardly from the housing 35.toward the other side I2 of the table top It) is a flange 37 on whichthe edge portion 38 of the drapery fabric C is clamped by a clampingstrip 39.

The clamping strip 39 has a mnnber of vertical guide posts 40 securedthereto and extending upwardly and slidably through brackets 41 whichare affixed to the housing 35 by fasteners 42 and project into overlyingrelation to the clamp strip 39. A coiled compression spring 43 isdisposed about the upper end of each post 4" and acts on the bracket 4]and on a spring seat 44 at the top of the post to normally bias theclamping strip 39 upwardly. Means to actuate the clamping strip 3)downwardly to a clamping position. as seen in FIG. 6. comprises a camarm 45 fixed on a rock shaft 46 adjacent to each ofthe brackets 4I. therock shaft extending through aligned openings in the brackets 4]. Eachcam arm 45 is preferably provided with a roller 47 to reduce friction.and actuation of the cam arms 45 between clamping and released positionsis accomplished by at least one lever 48 affixed to the rock shaft 46.Preferably. however. a number of levers 48 may be spaced along the rockshaft 46 so that an operator may close or open the clamping means fromvarious locations. In the case of a table A of great length. separateclamping means B may be spaced along the table to enable gripping morethan one drape.

To facilitate placement or spreading of a drapery fab ric. on the tabletop It). with the edge portion 38 stretched longitudinally beneath thecalmping strip 39, with the clamping means open. a gripper rod 49 isvertically reciprocably carried by a bracket 50. at an end of thehousing 35 and is spring loaded downwardly by a spring 51. The lower endof the rod extends downwardly past the clamping strip 39 so as to gripthe corner of the fabric. enabling the edge 38 to be stretchedlongitudinally beneath the strip 39 before the latter is cammeddownwardly to grip the fabric Referring to FIG. 7. it will be seen thatthe sewing means F includes the usual sewing or stitcher head 52 whicheffects reciprocation of the usual needle 53 to stitch the crinolinestrip I4 to the drapery fabric (1 The head 52 also includes anoscillating cutter 53a which cooperates with the usual fixed knife 53bto sever the selvage l3 and the o\erlying edge of the stitched oncrinoline l4. along a line parallel to the line of move ment of thecarriage E. Further description or illustra tion of the sewing head isunnecessary since it is conventional. say. the Wilcox 84 Gibbs TypeSI-LI-I I.

The crinoline is supplied from the spool I5 previously referred to. overa guide 54 having enlarged guide washers 55 for positioning thecrinoline strip l-l on the drapery fabric. Preferably, the crinolinestrip is pressed against the drapery fabric by a guide plate 56. so thatthe drapery fabric and the erinoline strip are presented to the stitcherin a flat condition.

As previously indicated. the sewing means F is driven by the motor meansG. and the motor means simultaneously drives through the common drive H.the means for effecting traverse of the carriage E. at least in astitching direction.

More particularly. the motor means (i preferably comprises a typicalvariable speed electric motorclutch assembly. the motor 57 beingconstantly driven by a source of electrical potential supplied by acable 58 adapted to be suspended above the carriage by any suitablemeans. not shown. and connected to the motor. at the carriage, in ajunction box 59.

A clutch assembly 60 is adapted to be actuated by a bell-crank 6] from anormally released condition to an engaged condition. as is well known.and the extent of downward movement of the free end of the bell-crank 6|determines the speed of the rotary motion transmitted to a motor outputpulley 62 which drives a belt 63. This belt 63. as best seen in FIG. 5.is adapted to drive the input or drive pulley 64 of the sewing means Fand the input or drive pulley 65 which is fixed on a traverse driveshaft 66.

As seen in FIG. 3. the traverse drive shaft 66 is mounted for rotationin a pair of spaced bearing blocks 67. 67 which are suitably mounted ona horizontally extended support plate 68. Also mounted on the supportplate 68 is an infinitely variable change speed transmission 69 havingan input shaft 70. coupled to the drive shaft 66 by a coupling 71. andan output shaft 72. coupled by a coupling 73 to a driven shaft 74. whichis mounted for rotation in a pair of spaced bearing blocks 75. 75carried by the plate 68. At the outer end of the driven shaft 74 isattached a driven member in the form of a sprocket 76. which iscngageable with a cooperative drive means in the form of a chain 77. thechain extending lengthwise beneath the work table A in a supportingchannel 78 (See FIGS. I and 2).

As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. the plate 68. together with thecomponents mounted thereon as just described, is mounted for pivotalmovement on a pivot pin 79 located at the end of the plate 68 adjacentto the drive pulley 65, the pivot pin being carried by a structuralmember 80 forming part of the carria -c. The plate 68 is retained at itsother end by a vertical strap 81 which is secured by a top block orspacer 82 and a bottom block or spacer 83 which are suitably connectedto a vertical structural member 84 of the carriage. The

weight of the plate 68 and its attachments is sufficient to cause thedrive sprocket 76 to drivingly engage the drive chain 77 under normalcircumstances. but if desired. the plate may be biased downwardly b aspring In any ev eat. the carriage is caused to traverse the table A bythe drive sprocket 76 which is driv en b the pulley 65. drive shaft 66.change speed transmission 69 and driven shaft 74. at a rate determinedby the speed of the motor 57 and the drive ratio of the input and outputshafts 70 and 72 of the variable transmission 69.

Thus. it is apparent that the relationship between the stitching rate.i.e.. the rate at which the motor 57 drives the stitcher head 52. andthe traverse rate. i.e.. the rate at which the carriage travels alongthe guides D. is a function of the setting of the variable transmission69. Thus. this transmission 69 has a speed or ratio adjuster 69a adaptedto vary the drive ratio from the input shaft 70 to the output shaft 72.The details of the transmission are not essential and require nospecific illustration. since various. standard. stcpless. variable speeddrives are available. say the "ZEROMAX" variable speed drive of Zero-MaxIndustries. Inc.

Control or operating means are provided for causing operation of theapparatus. Thus. a foot pedal 85 may be pivoted on the platform 28 in aconvenient location for the operator. to enable actuation of a chain 86which operates the stitcher head 52 in the conventional manner to liftthe head and enable starting of a stitching operation.

The operating means for effecting operation of the sewing means F andtraverse ofthe carriage E includes a lever 87 having a handle 88 locatedconveniently for manual operation. This lever 87 is connected to arockshaft 89 which is pivotally mounted between cars 90. 9i on thecarriage legs 2" and 2], respectively Projecting inwardly from therock-shaft 89 to a location beneath the bell-crank lever 61 is a leverarm 92. to the free end of which is pivotally connected a link 93. theupper end of which extends slidably through the free end of theball-crank 6 l, a nut 94 adjustable on the link 93 being adapted toeffect downward movement of the bellcrank 6! when the link 93 is pulleddownwardly by the lever arm 92. As previously indicated. such downwardmovement of the arm ofthe bell-crank 6] effects operation of themotor-clutch means G to cause operation of the sewing means F andtraverse of the carriage E. by the drive means H. as previouslydescribed. in the sewing direction While a reversible drive is possible.say. by use of a variable transmission 69 which is reversible. the apparatus. as herein disclosed. is adapted to be manually returned to astarting position. Thus. on the side of the carriage E. opposite theoperator's platform 28. is a lever arm 95 having a handle 96. the lever95 being connected to the rock shaft 89. This rock shaft 89 has a secondlever arm 97 projecting downwardly and inwardly beneath the carriage(See FIG. 4) and pivotally connected to a link 98. the free end of thelink 98 being opcratively connected to the plate 68. which supports thetraverse drive means. including the sprocket 76. whereby the lever 95may be actuated to elevate the sprocket 76 from engagement with thechain 77. the plate 68 pivoting about the pivot 79. so that the carriageis freed to coast to its starting position. The connection between thelink 98 and the plate 68 is such that the link 98 is free to movedownwardly with respect to the plate 68 when the traverse drive isoperated. Thus. the plate 68. as seen in Fl(i. 4. has a bracket 99affixed thereto and providing a horizontal abutment engageable by theupper end of the link 98. Preferably. also. the link 98 is held inposition with respect to the bracket 99 by means of a tension spring 100connected betneen the link 98 and a stationary frame component. such asthe frame member 84 previously referred to.

()PERA'HON In the use of the apparatus to apply a crinoline strip to theedge of a drapery fabric. the fabric C is placed on the table 10. withthe clamping means 8 released. The corner clamp or gripper rod 49 isused to locate a corner of the fabric beneath the clamp bar 39. and theedge 38 may then be stretched smoothly beneath the clamp bar 39. and aclamp lever 48 then actuated to cam the bar 39 into engagement with thedrape edge 38. clamping the latter throughout its length. The fabric Cmay then be smoothly spread out on the table A with the selvageextending over the edge 12 ofthe table top 10.

The carriage E is then moved to a starting position, the crinoline strip[4 pulled from the spool 15. and the sewing head 52 actuated to a sewingposition. as is well known. Thereupon. the operator standing on theplatform 28. pulls the lever 88. in the direction of the arrows in F105.1 and 2. resulting in the rocking of shaft 89 to pull downwardly on themotor operating bellcrank 61 through the lever 92 and link 93. therebydriving the belt 63 which simultaneously drives the stitchcr drivepulley 64 and the traverse drive pulley 65. Since the speed relationshipbetween the stitching rate and the traverse rate is not determined bythe pulleys 62. 64 and 65. but by the variable speed transmission 69.these pulleys may be. for simplicity. identical.

In any event. the carriage is caused to travel along the guide means D.in a course parallel to the edge l2 of the table A. at a rate. relativeto the stitching rate. determined by adjustment of the transmission 69.if the fabric is being pulled by the stitching means. due to excessivetraverse rate. the transmission 69 may be adjusted to produce a properstitching rate to traverse rate ratio. so that the stitches arecorrectly formedv Conversely. if a more rapid traverse rate isnecessary. the transmission 69 may be adjusted accordingly. Suchadjustment not only allows for the establishment of a proper ratio ofstitching rate to traverse rate for normal operations. but. also.enables adjusting the ratio to best accommodate different types andweights of fabric. as well as enabling compensation for wear in thedrive components. such as the belt 63.

After a drapery fabric has had the crinoline strip 14 applied thereto.the fabric is removed from the table A and the carriage returned to thestarting position. Return of the carriage is effected by the operator.by pulling on the lever 95. in the direction indicated by the arrows inFIGS. 1 and 2. thereby rocking the shaft 89 in a direction to effectupward movement of the link 98 to pivot the plate 68 upwardly about thepivot pin 79 to raise the drive sprocket 76 from the chain 77. Whenupward movement of the plate 68 is stopped by the block 82. the carriagecan then be manually pulled to the starting position.

Referring to the form of the invention as shown in FIGS. 8 through 14.the carriage E is mounted upon support means D modified so as to beintegrated with the table A. as will be later described. Moreparticurly. the table A has an upper carriage supporting cans includingan upper track or rail I26 and a lower .IClx or rail I27 engaged bybearing means 12). I30. hereby the carriage F. is adapted to be drivenlongitunally of the table by the drive means H. as previously .scribed.which dri\es the drive pinion 76 in engage eat with the chain 77. Theupper track I26 comprises i elongated channel member having a throat oropeng I261! defined between vertically spaced flanges 26/) within whichare confined vertically spaced rolrs l26tprmiding the bearing means I29.As best en in FIG. III. the rollers I26t are mounted on axles 26:!carried by a bracket 1260. which is in turn stipirted upon a post IZfij'which is rigidly connected to .e carriage F. at its platform 28.Preferably. a pair of lch posts l26f and roller bearing supports arespaced ngitudinally of the carriage platform 28 for stability. he trackI27 comprises an elongated angle iron I271: the apex of which is acircular rod 127/) engageable the bearing means I30. which. as best seenin FIG. is preferably in the form of a grooved roller mounted i an axle1271' which is supported in a bracket I27d an angle such that the loadof the carriage E and any aerator standing on the platform 28 is imposedon the id I27!) without causing lateral binding ofthe grooved illerbeaing I30. i.e.. the roller bearing I30 is sup- .irted on an axis ofrotation which is perpendicular to ie line of the angular force appliedto the carriage by re overhanging weight of the carriage and an operatoriereon. Preferably. here again. a pair of roller bearings 30 aredisposed on the carriage in spaced relation.

In this embodiment. in order to provide a source of ectricity for theelectric drive motor for the drive ieans H. without necessitating anoverhead trolley or ing conductor cables. conductor means 200 are prodedextending longitudinally of the table A. compris lg a channel member 201having therein. as seen in l(i. I2. upper and lower conductor strips 202engageile by brushes 203. carried by a supporting member ll4. havingrollers 205. which engage within the chali- :l member 2!". Ina mannernot requiring illustration. inductor leads will extend from the brushes203 to a nction box 2H6 suitably carried by the carriage frame.Furthermore. in this embodiment the table is shown a rigid integratedframe structure comprising upright ists or supports 2]] atlongitudinally spaced locations elded or otherwise rigidly connected tolongitudinally (tended base frame members 212 and transversely ex- :ndedbase frame members 213. Between the sides of ie table. the framestructure also includes additional :rtical rc-enforeing posts 2I4 intransversely spaced :lation. as well as additional longitudinal baseframe iembers 215 to which the posts 214 are connected.

Between the inner vertical posts 214. the table is prodcd with leaves216 and 217 hingedly connected at I8 and 2 I9 to a stationary table topsection 220. adja- :nt the carriage F. and another stationary table toprction 221 which is spaced from the table top section 20 to provide awalkway W. as seen in FIG. I4. when ic leaves 216. 217 are intheirlowered position. Ex- -nding along the walkway W is a suitable plate 222on hich an operator may walk. At the remote side of the iblc A from thecarriage E. there is another foldable at 223. Accordingly. the table canbe adjusted to prode a drapery work table of minimum length correiondingto the table top section 220 or selected cater length when the leaves216. 2l7 and 223 are selectively actuated to the upper or horizontalposition. As is apparent from the first described embodiment. theclamping means 8 is adjustal'ilc on the table so as to be lowered at anydesired position to accommodate drapes of different lengths. dependingwhich of the lca\cs is in the upper position.

In order to easily actuate the responsive leaves 2|(i. 117 or 223 to theupper or horizontal positions. the frame structure includes supportingbrackets 224 at a suitable number of longitudinal spaced locations towhich are pivotally connected fluid pressure operated cylinders 225having actuator rods 226 pivotally connected to crank arms 227 which arein turn fixedly connected to longitudinally extended rock shafts 228.These rock shafts are suitably journallcd in the vertical posts and haverigidly connected thereto lever arms 229 which are pivotally connectedat 230 at their free ends to links 23] which are in turn pivotallyconnected beneath the table leaves 216. 2I7 and 223. whereby when therods 226 are extended from the actuator cyl inders 225. the leaves areactuated to their upper position. as shown in broken lines in FIG. 14.from their lowered position.

From the foregoing. it will be understood that the embodiment of FIGS. 8through 14 affords improved versatility in terms of drapery size andease of utili7ation by an operator. More particularly. however. therigid frame structure beneath the table allows the table unit to betransported as a tmit and installed on the tloor of a building. withoutexperiencing curvature or bending due to the inherent unevenness of thefloor. without requiring leveling to compensate for such unevenness. Inaddition. since the carriage supporting rails are integrated with thetable base structure. the parallelism of the carriage supporting meanswith respect to the table is also maintained without necessitatingseparate leveling or adjusting of the carriage supporting tracks withrespect to the table. as may be required by the first describedembodiment.

I claim: I. A drapery sewing machine apparatus comprising: a work tableadapted to receive a length of drapery fabric in longitudinally extendedflat relation.

clamping means disposed at and extending along one longitudinal side ofsaid table for clamping one edge of the drapery fabric to hold it inparallel relation to the other side of said table;

traveling sewing means at the other longitudinal side of said table andincluding a stitcher head for sewing a strip of material to the adjacentedge of said drapery fabric:

guide means including rail means adjacent alid parallel to an edge ofsaid other longitudinal side of said table;

motor means carried by said traveling sewing means.

first drive means to move said sewing means along said guide means. saidfirst drive means including a drive shaft having a rotary drive membersecured to one end for drivingly engaging a cooperative stationary drivemember extending longitudinally of said guide means. a support for saiddrive shaft. means pivotally mounting said support on said travelingsewing means to allow movement of said ro tary drive member from anormal position at which it engages said stationary drive member to arelease position at which it is disengaged from said stationary drivemember. and means for pivoting said support from said normal position tosaid release ttflsi tion'.

second dri\e means for dri\ing said stiteher head at a selectedstitching rate;

a common dri\e connection hetw een said motor means and said first andsecond drive means to simultaneously mo\e said sewing means along saidgtiide means and operate said stitcher head;

control means including a manually operable clutch means connecting saidmotor means to said com mon dri\e connection. said control means furtherincluding means for pivoting said support for said drive shaft to saidrelease position when said clutch has disconnected said motor means fromsaid com mon drive connection: and

an infinitely variable change speed transmission for one of said drivemeans, and means for varying said transmission for adjusting therelationship between the stitching rate of said stitcher head and therate of movement of said sewing means along said guide means.

2. A drapery sewing machine apparatus comprising:

a work table adapted to recei\e a length of drapery fabric inlongitudinally extended tiat relation:

clamping means disposed at and extending along one longitudinal side ofsaid table for clamping one edge of the drapery fabric to hold it inparallel relation to the other side of said table;

traveling sewing means at the other longitudinal side of said table andincluding a stitcher head for sewing a strip of material to the adjacentedge of said drapery fabric;

guide means including rail means adjacent and parallel to an edge ofsaid other longitudinal side of said table:

motor means carried by said traveling sewing means:

first drive means to move said sewing means along said guide means. saidfirst drive means including a drive shaft having a rotary drive membersecured to one end for drivingly engaging a cooperative stationary drivemember extending longitudinally of said guide means, a support for saiddrive shaft, means pivotally mounting said support on said travelingsewing means to allow movement of said rotary drive member from a normalposition at which it engages said stationary drive member to a releaseposition at which it is disengaged from said station ary drive member.and means for pivoting said sup port from said normal position to saidrelease position;

second drive means for dri\ing said stiteher head at a selectedstitching rate;

a common drive connection between said motor means and a said first andsecond drive means to simultaneously move said sewing means along saidguide means and operate said stitcher head.

control means for selectively engaging said motor means with said commondri\e connection: and

an infinitely variable change speed transmission for one of said drivemeans. and means for varying said transmission for adjusting therelationship between the stitching i'ate of said stitcher head and therate of movement of said sewing means along said guide Ill means.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said \ariable transmission isinterposed in said first drive means between said common dri\econnection and said rotary drive member.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said guide means includes parallelrails located below said table for supporting said sewing means 5. Theapparatus of claim 2 wherein said stitcher head includes means forcutting the selvage from the stitched drapery fabric and strip ofmaterial.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 further including:

means forming a support for a roll of said strip mate' rial and forsupporting said roll on an axis normal to the direction ofmmement ofsaid sewing means. and

tensioning means for progressively guiding said strip of material fromsaid roll into position along said adjacent edge of said drapery fabricas said sewing means travels along the length of said table.

7. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said common drive connectioncomprises a motor output pulley on the shaft of said motor means andfirst and second input pulley means for said first and second drivemeans. respectively. and a single belt means traversing said pulleys.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said control means includes amanually operable clutch for connecting said motor means to said commondrive coir nection.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said control means further includesmeans for pivoting said support for said drive shaft to said releaseposition when said eiutch has disconnected said motor means from saidcommon drive connection.

It). Drapery sewing machine apparatus comprising: a work table adaptedto receive a length of drapery fabric in longitudinally extended flatrelation, said table having a base structure, clamping means disposed atone longitudinal side of said table for clamping one edge of the draperyfabric, traveling sewing means at the other longitudinal side of saidtable. guide means integrated with said table base structure and saidsewing means for guiding said sewing means along said table. said sewingmeans including a stitcher head for sewing a strip of crinoline to theadjacent edge of said drapery fabric, and drive means for moving saidsewing means along said guide means, said work table comprising transversely spaced fixed table sections and leaves shiftable between upperpositions forming a continuation of said table and lower inoperativepositions.

I I. Drapery sewing machine apparatus as defined in claim [0. includingactuator means for shifting said leaves from said inoperative positionsto said upper positions.

l2. Drapery sewing machine apparatus as defined in claim It]. includingactuator means for shifting said leaves from said inoperative positionsto said upper positions. and said actuating means including fluid pressure operated cylinder and rod means and link means

1. A drapery sewing machine apparatus comprising: a work table adaptedto receive a length of drapery fabric in longitudinally extended flatrelation; clamping means disposed at and extending along onelongitudinal side of said table for clamping one edge of the draperyfabric to hold it in parallel relation to the other side of said table;traveling sewing means at the other longitudinal side of said table andincluding a stitcher head for sewing a strip of material to the adjacentedge of said drapery fabric; guide means including rail means adjacentand parallel to an edge of said other longitudinal side of said table;motor means carried by said traveling sewing means; first drive means tomove said sewing means along said guide means, said first drive meansincluding a drive shaft having a rotary drive member secured to one endfor drivingly engaging a cooperative stationary drive member extendinglongitudinally of said guide means, a support for said drive shaft,means pivotally mounting said support on said traveling sewing means toallow movement of said rotary drive member from a normal position atwhich it engages said stationary drive member to a release position atwhich it is disengaged from said stationary drive member, and means forpivoting said support from said normal position to said releaseposition; second drive means for driving said stitcher head at aselected stitching rate; a common drive connection between said motoRmeans and said first and second drive means to simultaneously move saidsewing means along said guide means and operate said stitcher head;control means including a manually operable clutch means connecting saidmotor means to said common drive connection, said control means furtherincluding means for pivoting said support for said drive shaft to saidrelease position when said clutch has disconnected said motor means fromsaid common drive connection; and an infinitely variable change speedtransmission for one of said drive means, and means for varying saidtransmission for adjusting the relationship between the stitching rateof said stitcher head and the rate of movement of said sewing meansalong said guide means.
 2. A drapery sewing machine apparatuscomprising: a work table adapted to receive a length of drapery fabricin longitudinally extended flat relation; clamping means disposed at andextending along one longitudinal side of said table for clamping oneedge of the drapery fabric to hold it in parallel relation to the otherside of said table; traveling sewing means at the other longitudinalside of said table and including a stitcher head for sewing a strip ofmaterial to the adjacent edge of said drapery fabric; guide meansincluding rail means adjacent and parallel to an edge of said otherlongitudinal side of said table; motor means carried by said travelingsewing means; first drive means to move said sewing means along saidguide means, said first drive means including a drive shaft having arotary drive member secured to one end for drivingly engaging acooperative stationary drive member extending longitudinally of saidguide means, a support for said drive shaft, means pivotally mountingsaid support on said traveling sewing means to allow movement of saidrotary drive member from a normal position at which it engages saidstationary drive member to a release position at which it is disengagedfrom said stationary drive member, and means for pivoting said supportfrom said normal position to said release position; second drive meansfor driving said stitcher head at a selected stitching rate; a commondrive connection between said motor means and a said first and seconddrive means to simultaneously move said sewing means along said guidemeans and operate said stitcher head; control means for selectivelyengaging said motor means with said common drive connection; and aninfinitely variable change speed transmission for one of said drivemeans, and means for varying said transmission for adjusting therelationship between the stitching rate of said stitcher head and therate of movement of said sewing means along said guide means.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 2 wherein said variable transmission is interposed insaid first drive means between said common drive connection and saidrotary drive member.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said guidemeans includes parallel rails located below said table for supportingsaid sewing means.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said stitcherhead includes means for cutting the selvage from the stitched draperyfabric and strip of material.
 6. The apparatus of claim 2 furtherincluding: means forming a support for a roll of said strip material andfor supporting said roll on an axis normal to the direction of movementof said sewing means; and tensioning means for progressively guidingsaid strip of material from said roll into position along said adjacentedge of said drapery fabric as said sewing means travels along thelength of said table.
 7. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said commondrive connection comprises a motor output pulley on the shaft of saidmotor means and first and second input pulley means for said first andsecond drive means, respectively, and a single belt means traversingsaid pulleys.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said control meansincludes a manually operable clutch for connecting said motOr means tosaid common drive connection.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein saidcontrol means further includes means for pivoting said support for saiddrive shaft to said release position when said clutch has disconnectedsaid motor means from said common drive connection.
 10. Drapery sewingmachine apparatus comprising: a work table adapted to receive a lengthof drapery fabric in longitudinally extended flat relation, said tablehaving a base structure, clamping means disposed at one longitudinalside of said table for clamping one edge of the drapery fabric,traveling sewing means at the other longitudinal side of said table,guide means integrated with said table base structure and said sewingmeans for guiding said sewing means along said table, said sewing meansincluding a stitcher head for sewing a strip of crinoline to theadjacent edge of said drapery fabric, and drive means for moving saidsewing means along said guide means, said work table comprisingtransversely spaced fixed table sections and leaves shiftable betweenupper positions forming a continuation of said table and lowerinoperative positions.
 11. Drapery sewing machine apparatus as definedin claim 10, including actuator means for shifting said leaves from saidinoperative positions to said upper positions.
 12. Drapery sewingmachine apparatus as defined in claim 10, including actuator means forshifting said leaves from said inoperative positions to said upperpositions, and said actuating means including fluid pressure operatedcylinder and rod means and link means connected to said leaves.